Mikel Arteta just made his disdain for Gabriel Jesus abundantly clear

Arsenal have announced their squad for the league phase of the 2025/26 Champions League, and some striking observations can be made from the list.

The biggest of them all is that Gabriel Jesus has been left out. It is not shocking given how things have unfolded, but it is still a brutal decision from Mikel Arteta.

The Brazilian striker is in the late stages of recovery from a long-term injury and is expected to return to full fitness soon.

By the time Arsenal’s European games pick up speed, Jesus may well be ready for selection, yet he has been excluded from the group entirely. This is not a question of fitness alone but a decision that raises bigger questions about his future at the Emirates.

Jesus has missed long stretches of the last two seasons due to injury, and doubts about his form after return remain unanswered.

But to completely snub a player of his experience from the Champions League squad suggests more than caution. It suggests that Arteta has very little faith in him.

Mikel Arteta just made his disdain for Gabriel Jesus abundantly clear

It is no secret that Arteta does not view Jesus as a vital piece of his project. Despite his technical qualities, movement, and pressing ability, the manager seems unconvinced.

There were clubs interested in Jesus back in July, but nothing materialized. At 28, with a major ACL problem behind him, he is nearing the age where clubs hesitate before committing long-term.

Now, his exclusion from Europe feels like the biggest signal yet that his Arsenal future is hanging by a thread.

For Arsenal, this decision carries its own risks. Arteta has done an exceptional job transforming the club, lifting them from a top-four struggle to consistent second-place finishes, and even guiding them to a Champions League semifinal after knocking out Real Madrid. But for all the progress, this squad announcement leaves one glaring vulnerability.

Arsenal’s A-list for the Champions League includes just three forwards: Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli.

One injury to any of them, and the attack is in immediate crisis. Jesus, for all his inconsistency, offered experience, versatility, and the ability to step in when required. Dropping him entirely removes that safety net.

It becomes even more puzzling when you consider that Gyokeres has not started the season with his usual confidence.

Strikers go through rough patches, and Jesus, while not flawless, is exactly the kind of reliable backup who could fill in seamlessly. Instead, Arsenal are left thin in one of the most demanding competitions in world football.

From Jesus’ perspective, this is proof that he is out of favor and will struggle for meaningful minutes even after regaining fitness.

For a player of his pedigree, sitting on the sidelines while the team fights in Europe is a clear sign: he should seriously consider moving elsewhere if this continues.

Arsenal’s decision is bold, but it may also be short-sighted. Squad depth decides Champions League campaigns, and sidelining an experienced forward at a time when depth is already scarce feels like an unnecessary gamble we would suggest against.